As the first rays of dawn peeked through the curtains, Kev stirred from his sleep. The familiar rhythm of the club had ingrained itself into his being, waking him at the same early hour each day. He stretched, feeling a pleasant soreness in his muscles from the previous day's swim, and headed to the bathroom for his morning ritual.
After a refreshing shower, Kev brewed a pot of coffee, the rich aroma filling his apartment with a comforting warmth. He prepared a glass of water, anticipating Horns's arrival, and then slipped into his swimsuit. The summer heat was relentless already, and he was eager to escape to the cool oasis of the pool.
Just as he was finishing his coffee, a knock echoed through the apartment. He opened the door to find Horns, his eyes glazed and a wide, dopey grin plastered on his face. The mooseman was clearly enjoying the effects of the potent weed oil.
"Mornin', Kev," Horns slurred, stumbling into the apartment and collapsing onto the couch with a contented sigh. He held out the water pipe and the bag of oil, his grip a bit unsteady. "Brought these back," he mumbled, his voice a low rumble.
Kev took the items and placed them back in the safe, shaking his head in amusement. "Thanks," he said, handing the mooseman the glass of water. "How's it going?"
Horns took a long gulp of water, his eyes still glazed. "Good," he replied. He then proceeded to zone out, his gaze fixed on some unseen point in the distance.
Kev, seeing Horns's state, couldn't help but feel a pang of amusement and sympathy. "You can crash in my room if you want, Horns," he offered, gesturing towards the bedroom. "The couch doesn't look very comfortable."
Horns shook his head slowly. "The couch is pretty comfy," he slurred, his eyelids drooping heavily. Horns laid down as if to prove the couch was big enough for his frame, moments later, a soft snore escaped his lips, and he was fast asleep.
Kev chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. He carefully placed the water pipe and oil back in the safe, then grabbed his towel and headed out to the pool, leaving Horns to his peaceful slumber.
Kev was just about to step out onto the patio when a knock interrupted his plans. He opened the door to find Cindy and Max, making their usual morning rounds. Cindy, ever authoritative, marched straight into the kitchen upon seeing Horns sprawled out on the couch.
"Boys," she sighed, shaking her head with a mix of amusement and exasperation. She set about preparing tea, her movements practiced and efficient. Max, meanwhile, leaned against the kitchen counter, careful not to disturb the sleeping mooseman.
"How was your evening, Kev?" Cindy inquired, her voice a gentle purr as she poured the tea.
"It was good," Kev replied, settling onto a chair at the kitchen table. "We saw a lawyer named Bozeman, and then had dinner with Ralph at his night club."
Cindy's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I heard Fang was a bit upset he couldn't see you to bed last night," she remarked, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Kev blushed slightly, his gaze dropping to his teacup. "He could have," he mumbled, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "He just... chooses the business over me..."
Cindy gave a knowing smile. "Of course he does," she replied, her voice gentle. "But that you're even making him consider it is wonderful. One of these nights, he'll give in to his desires. You'll see."
Kev's blush deepened, a warmth spreading through his chest. "I hope so too," he murmured, his gaze meeting Cindy's with a shy smile.
Cindy turned back to the kettle, a maternal warmth radiating from her. "I always hoped he'd have some pups of his own," she confessed, her voice a wistful whisper. "But I'm glad he found you, Kev. You're good for him."
Kev's cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and a flutter of hope warming his face. He didn't know how to respond to Cindy's candid observation, his heart still reeling from Fang's own whispered confessions over the past two weeks.
Cindy, sensing his discomfort, passed him a teacup, her smile gentle and reassuring. "Has he told you he loves you yet?" she inquired.
Max, who had been quietly observing the exchange from the kitchen counter, raised an eyebrow. "I think I'm in the wrong conversation," he quipped.
Kev chuckled, his gaze meeting Cindy's. "He has," he admitted.
Cindy nodded, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Fang is loose with his words, Kev," she said, her voice a wise purr. "But 'love' is one he doesn't use often. Treasure it." She paused, her gaze softening. "The wolf is a simple man, for better or for worse. He's loyal, protective, and dedicated to those he cares about. But he can also be stubborn, impulsive, and... well, you know."
They finished their tea in comfortable silence, the gentle melodies of the player piano creating a soothing backdrop to their conversation.
Finally, Cindy rose from her seat, a hint of weariness in her eyes. "I must be going, dears," she announced, turning to Max. "Come along. We have morning rounds to complete."
Max, who had been enjoying the impromptu tea party, reluctantly followed Cindy out of the apartment.
Kev glanced at the couch, where Horns was snoring softly, his massive frame sprawled across the cushions. He shook his head, a fond smile playing on his lips. After carefully placing the empty teacups on the counter, a sense of contentment settled over him.
Kev, feeling the warmth of the morning sun through the windows, remembered his goal of swimming. He grabbed a towel and made his way to the backyard, where the pool shimmered invitingly under the clear blue sky. Despite the early hour, the sun was already starting to heat up the day, promising another scorcher.
As Kev emerged from the refreshing embrace of the pool, his wet hair slicked back and a contented smile on his face, he spotted an unexpected figure lounging by the poolside. Reepia, the head chef, sat regally in one of the lounge chairs, her dirty white chef's coat looking somewhat out of place amidst the leisurely atmosphere. Beside her, on a small table, sat two steaming mugs of coffee.
She raised a hand in a beckoning gesture. "Kev, my dear," she called out, her voice surprisingly gentle, "come join me for a chat."
Kev, intrigued by Reepia's summons, approached her with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. He settled into the adjacent lounge chair, accepting the cup of coffee she offered with a grateful smile. Although he was getting better at making his own, the cups she produced just smelled so much better.
Reepia took a long drag from her cigarette, exhaling a plume of smoke that swirled in the warm morning air. "I hear you might have won me a second kitchen to run," she said. "Making all sorts of new responsibilities for me, human. I'm already swamped as it is."
Kev winced, a pang of guilt stabbing at his conscience. "My apologies, Reepia," he mumbled, taking a sip of the coffee. He remembered Sabrina's words from the day before, her playful jab at the club's hidden culinary gem.
"More people should know what a great cook you are," Kev ventured, his voice gaining confidence. "How is anyone supposed to know the kitchen in a sex club is this good? This new venture could change that. You'll be able to serve people who are in attendance solely to be fed. Well, there's a chance of that, at least." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Ralph did mention that he wants to make sure you're willing to cook his menu."
Reepia's growl reverberated through the peaceful morning air, her normally composed demeanor momentarily shattered. "That duck only wants to sell air-filled pastries and overpriced salads!" she exclaimed, her voice a raspy snarl. "I'll have to have a serious talk with him. People will only pay big bucks if we serve meat."
Just then, Talon and Sabrina emerged from the mansion, both clad in swimsuits. Talon wore a pair of black trunks that showcased his lean, muscular physique, while Sabrina sported her bright red bikini.
Reepia's gaze snapped towards them, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Who are you two?" she demanded, her voice a low growl.
Talon's posture stiffened slightly, recognizing the authority in Reepia's voice. "Hello, Ms. Reepia," he replied with a respectful nod, his feathers smoothing instinctively. "I am Talon, Mr. Fang's bodyguard. We've met already… This is my sister, Sabrina. We moved in three days ago."
Reepia's gaze swept over Talon, recalling how she had disabled the larger eagle with a quick kick to his shin. "Oh yeah, the hotshot," she said, a hint of challenge in her voice.
Sabrina rolled her wheelchair closer to Kev and reached for his coffee cup. "Mind if I try some?" she asked, her voice a raspy caw.
Kev, startled by her sudden movement, instinctively pulled the cup away. "Hey!" he protested, a playful smile on his face.
Sabrina pouted, her lower lip jutting out. "Come on, Kev," she whined. "Don't be stingy."
Kev relented, handing her the cup. Sabrina took a sip, her eyes widening in surprise. "Oh my, human," she exclaimed, "you actually made a decent cup this time."
Reepia laughed, a hearty sound that echoed across the pool area. "Not all wrong," she said, her gaze settling on Sabrina. "You said your name was Sabrina?"
Sabrina, ever the performer, rolled her wheelchair closer to Reepia with a flourish. She extended a hand, her voice dripping with mock formality. "Hello, Ms. Reepia. I am Madam Sabrina, humbly at your service."
Reepia chuckled, a raspy sound "You're a hot one, aren't you?" she remarked. "Glad to know there's someone here who doesn't have an Adam's apple."
Sabrina grinned, her confidence radiating. "Yes, dear," she replied, batting her eyelashes playfully. "Someone has to keep these boys in line."
Reepia's stern demeanor softened, replaced by a genuine smile. "I like you, girl," she declared, her voice a warm, if gravely, purr. "If you ever want breakfast, just come down to the bar in the morning. If I'm still around, I'll whip something up for you."
Talon chimed in, "I could go for some eggs right now, actually."
Reepia shot him a glare. "Who invited you, hotshot?" she retorted, her voice laced with amusement. "Besides," she added, turning back to Kev and Sabrina, "it's been a long night, and I've got a lot to think about. This new schedule, the possibility of a second kitchen..." She trailed off, smoke curling off of her cigarette.
"Farewell for now," she said with a final nod. "Enjoy your swim."
With a graceful swish of her tail, Reepia turned and headed back towards the mansion, leaving Kev, Talon, and Sabrina to bask in the warm afternoon sun.
The pool's surface shimmered under the afternoon sun as Kev and Talon resumed their swimming lessons. Kev, a patient instructor, demonstrated the intricacies of the breaststroke, focusing on the proper breathing technique and the coordination of arm and leg movements.
Talon, his athleticism evident in every stroke, proved to be a quick learner. His powerful wings, once a hindrance, now seemed to propel him through the water with surprising efficiency. He followed Kev's instructions closely, his brow furrowed in concentration as he perfected his form.
After a while, Kev decided to take a break, climbing out of the pool and settling onto a lounge chair beside Sabrina. He lit a joint, offering it to Sabrina, who eagerly accepted.
"Talon's a natural," Kev remarked, watching the eagleman effortlessly glide through the water.
Sabrina took a long drag from the joint, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "He's always been good at everything he tries," she replied with a hint of pride in her voice. "Except maybe cooking." She chuckled, remembering Talon's disastrous attempt at making eggs earlier that morning.
Sabrina took a puff from the joint, then passed it back to Kev. "So," she started, her voice laced with curiosity, "where'd you guys go last night? Talon was telling me, but when he got to the part where you ran into Bozeman, he got all silent and broody." She chuckled. "That slimy lawyer has been dragging his feet on our case for weeks. I was kinda hoping Fang would teach him a lesson."
Kev exhaled slowly, a cloud of smoke swirling in the air. "Bozeman's office was pretty tense," he admitted. "I thought Fang was going to attack that poor chameleon."
Sabrina's brow furrowed in confusion. "Bozeman's a jackal, I thought," she said.
Kev realized his mistake. "Oh, the jackal," he clarified with a sheepish grin. "It's confusing when they have the same name."
"Fang's lawyer is the chameleon," Kev explained, taking another drag from the joint. "Talon did stay behind for a few minutes and talked with the jackal. It sounds like you might be in luck, though."
Sabrina's interest piqued. "How so?" she asked, leaning forward in her wheelchair.
"The jackal said he didn't know Talon worked for Fang," Kev continued. "He seemed pretty surprised."
Sabrina burst into laughter, her voice echoing through the garden. "Brother, you really did well, landing this job!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight. "I hope you told that jackal that Fang was angry and would come bite him if he doesn't get his butt in gear."
Talon, engrossed in his breaststroke practice, didn't seem to hear Sabrina's outburst. His focus was solely on mastering the new technique, his powerful wings propelling him through the water with surprising grace.
Kev, feeling the sun's heat intensifying, moved to a shady spot under the oak tree. Sabrina followed, her wheelchair gliding effortlessly across the patio.
"Sucks about that sunburn thing," she remarked, a playful glint in her eyes.
"I'm used to it," Kev replied with a shrug, lighting another cigarette. He watched Talon's determined strokes, a curious thought forming in his mind. "I'm surprised you don't fly around more," he said, exhaling a plume of smoke. "You managed to get down from the balcony that first day we met. If I could fly, I'd do it all the time."
"Flying is outlawed in the city, dummy," she said, shaking her head in amusement. "Didn't brother tell you?"
"I had no idea," Kev admitted, a surprised look on his face. "Talon flew when he thought I was drowning." He paused. "Thanks for that, by the way."
Sabrina laughed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Yeah, he's too easy to get going," she teased.
Kev's brow furrowed in thought. "I also saw Perry, the owl man, fly over the club one night," he recalled. "Does that mean he's breaking the law too?"
Sabrina shrugged. "Little things, human," she said, her voice a casual dismissal. "It's risky. The city enforcers take that rule pretty seriously."
Kev sighed, shaking his head. "That sucks," he said, his gaze drifting towards Talon, who was now effortlessly gliding through the water. "I can imagine that not being able to fly around must be frustrating."
"We're used to it," Sabrina replied with a shrug. "But it was pretty funny watching Talon try to stop mid-air. He totally biffed it." Her laughter echoed through the garden.
Kev, feeling a playful impulse, gathered a handful of smooth pebbles from the poolside and tossed them into the deep end. "Hey, Talon," he called out, a mischievous grin on his face. "Let's see if you can retrieve these."
Talon, ever eager for a challenge, nodded enthusiastically. He took a deep breath and dove into the water, his powerful wings propelling him downwards with surprising speed. He resurfaced moments later, a pebble clutched triumphantly in his hand.
Kev laughed, impressed by Talon's agility and adaptability. They continued the game for a while, Talon's dives becoming more graceful and efficient with each attempt.
Finally, Talon emerged from the pool, his feathers slicked back against his head. "It's still early," he said, a hint of sheepishness in his voice, "but I'm starving."
Sabrina, who had been lounging in the sun, raised an eyebrow. "You did murder those eggs this morning," she remarked with a playful smirk. "I'm surprised you even tried to eat them."
Talon shot his sister a mock glare. "Lunch," he said, turning to Kev with a hopeful look.
Kev hesitated, remembering the moose sleeping on his couch. "Horns is passed out in my room," he explained. "I was hoping to let him sleep for a bit."
Talon's gaze shifted to Sabrina, a silent question in his eyes.
Sabrina sighed dramatically. "Fine," she conceded. "I'll cook. But don't expect anything fancy."
They dried up and departed for their rooms.